Columbia working with consultant to find new fire chief

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

The city of Columbia will hire a search firm to help it find its next fire chief.

City spokesperson Sydney Olsen said the city is finalizing a contract with Strategic Government Solutions to help find the head of the department. The city plans to spend no more than $24,150.

The city has been in need of a permanent fire chief since January. Chief Andy Woody left to take a job in Arkansas. Woody started in Columbia in 2019.

Olsen said SGR would take as long as 15 weeks to find finalists for the position. SGR would help advertise the position, interview "key stakeholders" in the process, and conduct face-to-face interviews with candidates.

The Texas-based consultant has one other open search for fire chief.

Former CFD chief Randy White is currently serving as interim chief of the department. White retired from the city in 2019.

The department is in the midst of building and opening two new fire stations in southwest and east Columbia.